gone down to punch the head of the beastly, drunken boor, whom I sent to insult you; for I myself felt so certain that that would be your impulse—to punish him at once—that I followed him a bit ahead of you and, after collecting the pool, got away by the deck door just before you tramped in to reprove him.
"'But now, old chap, for America and—oh, I can't myself quite say what else yet, you know. But, dear old Preston, I am glad to leave you this to assuage the captain, the dutiful representative of Scotland Yard, and any others who may still be dubious about you—a company which, I hope, does not longer number—Miss Varris.'"
Preston's voice dropped.
"That is all, sir?" the captain inquired, crestfallen.
"That is all which in any way concerns you, sir, or these officers, and I believe this is sufficient explanation of the facts?"
"Oh, quite!" the captain replied, glancing
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